Emphasizing safety aspects, the Aerospace Recommended Practice (ARP) is a guideline for development of civil aircraft and systems.

ARP4754 is intended to be used in conjunction with the safety assessment process defined in SAE ARP4761 (updated to Revision A in December 2023) and is supported by other aviation standards such as RTCA DO-178C/DO-178B and DO-254.

ARP4754 was defined in the context of aircraft certification, in particular Part 25 Sections 1301 and 1309 of harmonized civil aviation regulations for transport category airplanes.

FAA Advisory Circular AC 25.1309-1A, System Design and Analysis, explained certification methodology for Part 25 Section 1309.

The FAA and EASA have both subsequently recognized ARP4754/ED–79 as valid for certification of other aircraft categories, and for specific systems such as avionic databuses.

ARP4754A and ED79A were released by SAE and EUROCAE in December 2010 with the document title changed to Guidelines For Development Of Civil Aircraft and Systems.